West End Fair

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

RON GOWER/TIMES NEWS Four-year-old Makayla Frable of Brodheadsville seems to be comparing face makeup with Balloons the Clown at the West End Fair in Gilbert. This is the first year for Balloons, who greets youngsters by giving them balloon creations. Frable had her face painted at a stand along the midway of the fair.

Fine weather means fine attendance; tomorrow is kids' day

By RON GOWER rgower@tnonline.com

After a stormy start, the West End Fair in Gilbert is seeing some of the best weather it has had in years.

And the attendance is proving that people are enjoying it.

Large crowds packed the midway last night.

It was a full house on the grandstand, too, for the first of three nights of demolition derbies.

The second demo derby is tonight, with compacts, pickups, lawn mowers, and 4x4 SUVs featured. The first fender will be crunched at 7 p.m.

Admission to the grandstand for the demolition derby is $8.

Tomorrow is Children's Day at the fair, with children's games occurring in the ball field starting at 2 p.m. A Children's Day drawing happens on the main stage at 4:30 p.m.

Also tomorrow, at Kids' Corner, the Pleasant Valley Cheerleading Seniors and Cubs will put on a demonstration starting at 6 p.m.

The entertainment tomorrow includes the Gerry Gessie duo show in the band shell at 12:30, 2:30, and 4:30 p.m.

Also, for country music fans, Country on Purpose will perform at 1:30 and 3:30 on the main stage.

Then tomorrow night, The New Individuals will be on the main stage at 6, 8, and 9:30 p.m.

The New Individuals have a large repertoire of oldies songs including "Silhouettes," "Hey Jude," "Hanky Panky," and "Nights In White Satin."

One of the new features for children this year is the "First Bite Fishing Tanks," which lets children catch fish and then return them to the water. The mission is to help people learn how to handle different species of fish.

The fair was scheduled to end Saturday, but because of the rainout last Sunday, it will continue through Sunday, Sept. 4.

Country singer Nicole Donatone, who has recorded her maiden CD, was scheduled to perform last Sunday. Her shows will be held on Sept. 4.

Besides having her original songs, Donatone also does cover tunes from a large array of artists, from Sugarland to Carrie Underwood to Patsy Cline.

Also Sunday night, a spectacular fireworks display will be held at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks were originally scheduled for last Sunday.